Weeks of Welcome - University of Houston
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Weeks of Welcome

Cultural Taste of Houston has been rescheduled to September 19th

August 15 - August 31, 2024

Whether you're a new or returning Coog, the University of Houston extends a warm welcome to you! Weeks of Welcome (WOW) features hundreds of free events hosted by various departments and student organizations. It's a fantastic opportunity to have fun, explore the university, snag some freebies, make new friends, and find your place at UH!

See our Signature Events and Full Schedule below! Download your Event Pass ahead of time to ensure a smooth check-in process for all WOW events.
two students taking a selfie

WOW Instagram Challenge

Win an IPad! Official Rules:

  • Share your fav picture during WOW on Instagram (August 17 - Sept 2)
  • Tag us @getinvolveduh
  • Stories don't count
  • Winner will be announced Monday, September 4, 2023
  • By participating, you give us permission to repost your image(s)
  • Contest is only open to currently enrolled UH students

Hover over or select a signature event for additional details.
If you need accommodations for any event, please contact the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center.

Signature Events

  • Party in the Park

    Party in the Park is an event for new and returning students to connect with University Sponsored Organizations and Affiliated Organizations (USOs and AOs) to learn more about what programs, events, and engagement opportunities students have throughout the year.

    Aug 21 4:00 pm

  • Playfair

    Come out to Playfair! The ultimate icebreaker! Students will be able to meet new friends and wind down before the first day of classes with this interactive activity. Get ready for an hour of fun activities and end it with a free t-shirt!

    Aug 22 6:00 pm

  • Student Centers Welcome Back

    Welcome Back to campus with a blast from the past! Explore all the fun and resources the Student Centers has to offer in this “Back to the Future” themed event.

    Aug 24 11:00 am

  • Explore the Powerhouse

    Wander through campus to discover departments and resources. Get free souvenirs from your UH travels to start your semester right! The more stops you visit, the more you can win.

    Aug 25-26 10:00 am

  • The Cat's Back

    The Cat’s Back welcomes both new and returning students to campus. At this event, you will be connected with student organizations, eat free food, participate in fun activities, and have chances to win some awesome prizes! Come make new friends and find your fit in this new year!

    Aug 25-26 4:00 pm

  • Candlelight

    Candlelight is a tradition during the summer orientation program. Students have the opportunity to surround Cullen Family Plaza, light a candle and sing the Alma Mater, and be inducted as a member of the University of Houston community as a Cougar. Prior to attending Candlelight, please complete the Daily Self-Assessment outlined by the University.

    Aug 26 8:30 pm

  • Glow Party

    After an exciting first week of the new semester, relax and have fun at Glow Party. Get free glow items, dance to music, eat good food and meet new friends to celebrate the start of a new semester! Get ready for a night of glow and lots of paint!

    Aug 26 9:00 pm

  • WOW Day of Service

    Join us for ServeHTX: an afternoon of service in the Houston Community! Projects will include gardening, neighborhood clean-ups, sorting food donations, and more. Transportation, lunch, a t-shirt, and materials required for service projects will be provided for all volunteers. Register for ServeHTX: WOW Day of Service

    Aug 27 12:00 pm

  • Cage Rage

    Enjoy live music, inflatables, plenty of selfie booths, lots of great raffle prizes, skills challenges, and much more! Don't miss your chance to pick up your FREE student ticket to the Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium.

    Aug 27 6:00 pm

  • Cultural Taste of Houston

    Cultural Taste of Houston is a food festival with food trucks. We invite local cultural restaurants from all over the greater Houston area to campus, to showcase their most popular and tasty menu items. Come enjoy pop-up shops, live performances, and food samples from Houston's best restaurants!

    Aug 30 11:00 am

  • Commuter Kick-Off

    Sep 1 11:00 am

    Commuter Student Services welcomes all new and returning commuter students to participate in this year’s event featuring commuter resources, giveaways, a drawing for gas cards, and much more! Come out and see why it's so great to be a commuter student at the University of Houston!

  • Greek-A-Palooza

    Greek-A-Palooza is an exciting event where UH students will be able to connect with and learn more about the different fraternities and sororities on campus. It’s a fun-filled event with music, activities, and games that you don’t want to miss. Come Discover the UH Greek in You!

    Sep 1 4:00 pm

  • Canceled - InfraRED

    Reschedule date TBD

    Let Weeks of Welcome continue as we kick off this year’s InfraRED with a throwback to the days of roller rinks and arcades! Join us in the Houston Room on the second floor of the Student Centers for a night of fun, food, and flipbooks! You’ll be able to play arcade games, grab some pizza, make a keepsake flipbook, and yes, show off your skating skills on the roller rink floor.

    Sep 2 7:00 pm

  

#IAMUH T-Shirt Swap

Monday, August 23 & Tuesday, August 24, 2021
9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Student Centers Food Court

As part of UH Weeks of Welcome, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) will be sponsoring a t-shirt swap. Have a t-shirt from another university, high school, or military service? Time to swap it. On us! Come join us in the Student Center on Monday, August 23 – Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, bring us a T-shirt of another college, high school, or military service, and we’ll give you a free #IAMUH* T-shirt. Limit 1 shirt per student, while supplies last. All collected shirts will be donated. #IAMUH is a campaign that highlights and celebrates the many diversities and unique stories that can be found within the University of Houston community. Because diversity is one of our strengths, #IAMUH was created to embrace and highlight, the multiple diversities within our institution.

Full Schedule of Events